On Nov 22, 2022, the 7th Africa Tech Challenge (ATC) was successfully concluded in Nairobi, Kenya. A total of 259 teachers and students making up 65 teams from 45 institutes of six countries participated in the training and competition, benefiting young Africans who were in urgent need of improving their vocational skills. The top three individual contestants from Uganda, Egypt and Zambia were given the opportunity to study in China.
The top three contestants of the 7th ATC obtain the opportunity to study in China. [Photo provided to sasac.gov.cn]
Paul's life has been changed
Before participating in the first ATC, Paul was a technician on a tea farm. Quitting the job to participate in the ATC training and competition changed his career trajectory, and eventually also won him the opportunity to study at Beihang University, where he obtained a master's degree.
"Coming to China for further study expanded my horizons and made me more internationalized. By learning about different cultures, I realized that I am able to adapt quickly to work anywhere in the world."
During his study at Beihang University in China, Paul plays a role in the Kenyan song and dance show during the 2018 CCTV Spring Festival Gala.[Photo provided to sasac.gov.cn]
Paul studies at Beihang University in China. [Photo provided to sasac.gov.cn]
Grace, a female student with dreams of becoming an engineer
Grace, champion of the 6th ATC Presentation, said that she hoped to become an outstanding mechanical engineer to contribute to the development of Kenya's mechanical engineering technology. As a female, she said that she hopes to impact young Kenyan women through her efforts, improve their social confidence, and give full play to the social value of all women in her country.
Grace, from the Technical University of Kenya, discusses technical solutions with other team members. [Photo provided to sasac.gov.cn]
"ATC is the closest place to my dream. I dreamed of becoming an excellent teacher and teaching advanced machining technology to more young people to support the sustainable development of the country's industry!"
The ATC is an overseas CSR activity initiated and wholly funded by AVIC International Holding Corporation, a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Ltd. Adhering to the principle of "Teaching a man how to fish" and focusing on the problem of lack of vocational skills and high unemployment, the ATC intends to improve the employment skills of local young people and promote the integration of teaching and industry chains by organizing vocational skills training and competitions. The ATC covers a wide range of vocational skills and winners can obtain orders from Chinese enterprises while enhancing the integrated ability of education and industry, making "Made in Africa" come true. Winners of the competition will also get opportunities to realize their dreams by studying in China.
In addition to the training and competition, ATC TALKS have also been held during each ATC, at which local successful entrepreneurs and youth leaders are invited to meet with the participants face-to-face, sharing their entrepreneurial experiences and stories and encouraging the participants to change their destiny and realize their dreams through unremitting efforts.
(Executive editor: Li Zhiyong)
